A new chapter begins for Exeter City on Saturday when the Matt Taylor era gets underway with a home clash against Carlisle United and judging by ticket sales, there is already plenty of interest in the game.

Due to the continued redevelopment of St James Park, capacity has been reduced with only two stands – the IP Office main Stand and the Big Bank – in operation, so if you haven’t got a ticket yet, you had better act fast, with less than 750 now available to buy.

Here are seven reasons not to miss out!

Exeter City's players gather for the official team photo ahead of the 2018/19 season (Image: Phil Mingo/PPAUK)

1 The dawn of a new era

There are a generation of Exeter City fans who know nothing but the Paul Tisdale era.

For 12 years, Tis manned the St James Park dug out taking the Grecians from the Football Conference and into League One, achieving a club record eighth-place finish before relegation and five years of slow, but stable progress back in League Two.

Tisdale has certainly left his mark on the club and City have arguably never been in such healthy state. Especially in terms of its infrastructure where so much investment has been made, funded by the sales of players that Tisdale blooded.

But all good things come to an end and after 12 years, Tisdale has gone and been replaced by Matt Taylor, a man Tisdale signed at the start of his second season in charge and who he brought back to the club as first team coach/Under 23 manager a couple of years ago.

Taylor was a fans favourite as a player and twice won the club’s player of the year award, so his appointment as manager has been well received by the same fans that adored him as a player.

As Taylor has never managed before, this is very much a step into the unknown for everyone, but after a successful pre-season where the Grecians have picked up some good results and the noises Taylor is making, there is a hugely positive feeling around the whole club right now.

Hiram Boateng of Exeter City celebrates the win with Exeter City fans after the Sky Bet League 2 play-off semi-final 2nd Leg Match between Exeter City and Lincoln City at St James Park, Exeter, Devon on May 17. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

2 City are United

As good as the Tisdale era was, the latter years were tainted by divisions within the club. There was an unnecessary tension between fans and players/staff which all came to a head when City’s hopes of automatic promotion were ended by Stevenage towards the end of last season.

Tisdale gestured towards fans calling for him to ‘sort it out’ and those same fans took offence, calling for him to go, which in turn led to the pro-Tisdale supporters to argue back with their fellow fans. It was all rather unpleasant.

Tisdale’s contract situation – where he was served notice on a two-year rolling contract by his own people – was a constant strain on on the field matters, leading to much uncertainty, and ultimately, it played a significant part in his reasons to leave the club. Many will also argue it had a detrimental affect on City’s play-off final where speculation was already rife that he was heading to MK Dons.

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Now, though, the divisions seems to have disappeared. Taylor’s soundbites have been lapped up by the fans, who are united as one in getting behind him and his team for the new campaign.

Taylor has been clever. Little things like insisting the players go to the fans to appreciate their support at Bristol Rovers may be small, but they leave a lasting impression and are greatly appreciated by those fans that spend fortunes following the club across the land.

He has also spoken about issues that frustrated fans under the former regime, such as playing more attacking football, whilst getting the fans onside by praising them for their vocal support.

The new stand takes shape at Exeter City's St James Park

3 Ground redevelopment

St James Park remains a two-sided stadium for now as work on the redevelopment continues, although it is on time and scheduled to be completed by October.

The Big Bank has a reduced capacity for now, while the IP Office Stand offers the only seats in the house, but they also provide a fine view of the stunning new stand being constructed on the opposite touchline.

Throughout the close season, fans have seen glimpses of the stand’s construction, which appears to be in its final stages now. The floodlights are up, the seats are being installed and it won’t be long before work starts on erecting the metal terrace stand at the St James’ Road End, which will home visiting supporters.

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The work has been a long time in coming, but is testament to those involved that it is being done on time and at minimal cost to the club. The logistsics and make-up of St James Park mean it has been a complex build, but City fans will proudly see the superb new stand and its facilities first hand at the Carlisle game.

Goal celebrations for Troy Brown of Exeter City during the pre season friendly between Bristol Rovers and Exeter City on July 28 at Memorial Stadium in Bristol . - PHOTO: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

4 Exciting team

One criticism of Tisdale’s Exeter was that they were often a bit dull and defensive, but manager Taylor has made his intentions clear with the signings of two new strikers, Jonathan Forte and Tristan Abrahams, and a winger, Lee Martin, with the desire to bring in another speedy attacker before the transfer window slams shut.

Coupled with the acquisitions of defenders Aaron Martin and Jimmy Oates and midfield playmaker Nicky Law, Taylor’s first foray into the transfer market appears to be a good one, although only time will tell if they are a success or not.

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A self-confessed Manchester United fan, Taylor wants his team to attack and showcase their talents just like the Red Devils that he grew up watching. That is easier said than done, of course, but for those that struggled to watch the Tisdale Grecians, it promises to be a lot more exciting under Taylor.

A young Exeter City side take part in a minutes silence before the pre-season friendly between Taunton Town and Exeter City on July 27 at Viridoor Stadium in Taunton, Somerset . - PHOTO: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

5 Exciting youngsters

Part of Taylor’s mandate is again the need to blood youngsters from the club’s blossoming Academy and we have seen already the likes of Archie Collins and Jack Sparkes given ample game time in pre-season.

Many others have as well, although many have since departed the club and headed out on loan to get some valuable experience of men’s football.

Taylor has suggested the team will evolve over the course of the season, so don’t be surprised to see players such as Collins and Sparkes, who have so much potential, force their way into the City first team and follow in the footsteps of Matt Grimes, Ollie Watkins, Tom Nichols and Ethan Ampadu.

There are a lot more coming through as well. Max Smallcombe, Harry Kite, Joel Randall, Alex Hartridge, Josh Key, will Dean and Ben Seymour have all had a taste of first team pre-season action which again suggests the future is bright at St James Park.

Exeter City fans during the Sky Bet League 2 play-off semi-final 2nd Leg match between Exeter City and Lincoln City at St James Park, Exeter, Devon on May 17. - PHOTO: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

6 Bumper crowd

As mentioned already, tickets are already selling fast for Saturday’s game and a larger than usual crowd is expected to cheer the Grecians on.

It’s been two months since the Red Army (along with all the hangers on!) descended on London for the League Two play-off final, so a great chance to get back to familiar ground, see some familiar faces once again and be in the company of those that share the common love of ECFC.

City are unique in that they are a supporter-owned club, which basically means that the more that turn out to watch them play, the more money pours into the club’s coffers.

There is no benefactor happy to invest millions which, compared to many of their rivals, gives Exeter a distinct financial disadvantage, but what they do have is a unique togetherness unparalleled at many clubs across the country.

A couple wearing Santa hats walk down Oxford Street on December 24, 2016 in London, England. Christmas shoppers hunt for last minute presents in central London on Christmas Eve. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

7 What else are you going to do on a Saturday?

OK, so the weather may be hot and the beach is an attractive alternative, admittedly, but what else would you rather do on the opening weekend of the Football League season? Go shopping with the missus?!

After a superb World Cup which saw England reach the semi-finals, football fans across the country cannot wait for the season to start and for the chance to see their team in action once again.

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Exeter City latest news

Exeter fans are no exception, despite the disappointment of missing out on promotion with a 3-1 defeat to Coventry in May’s League Two play-off final.

It was the second successive year that Exeter fell at the final hurdle, but with a new manager, new team, new kit, new stand, new coaching staff, optimism is high as the next chapter in Exeter City’s history is about to be written.